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Mask mandates save lives

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  • Hansen, Niels-Jakob H.
  • Mano, Rui C.

Abstract

We quantify the effect of statewide mask mandates in the United States in 2020. Our regression discontinuity design exploits county-level variation in COVID-19 outcomes across the border between states with and without mandates. State mask mandates reduced new weekly COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions, and deaths by 55, 11, and 0.7 per 100,000 inhabitants on average. The effect depends on political leaning with larger effects in Democratic-leaning counties. Our results imply that statewide mandates saved 87,000 lives through December 19, 2020, while a nationwide mandate could have saved 57,000 additional lives. This suggests that mask mandates can help counter pandemics, particularly if widely accepted.

Suggested Citation

  • Hansen, Niels-Jakob H. & Mano, Rui C., 2023. "Mask mandates save lives," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:88:y:2023:i:c:s0167629622001357
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2022.102721
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    Cited by:

    1. Barro, Robert J., 2022. "Non-pharmaceutical interventions and mortality in U.S. cities during the great influenza pandemic, 1918–1919," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(2), pages 93-106.
    2. Barro, Robert J., 2022. "Vaccination rates and COVID outcomes across U.S. states," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    3. Herby, Jonas & Jonung, Lars & Hanke, Steve, 2022. "A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Lockdowns on Covid-19 Mortality - II," MPRA Paper 113732, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Hurley, James & Walker, Daniel, 2021. "Did the Covid-19 local lockdowns reduce business activity? Evidence from UK SMEs," Bank of England working papers 943, Bank of England.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; Public health measures; Face masks; Regression discontinuity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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